This would be priced as a package, including one night stay at a local hotel, ground transporation, at least one dinner with keynote presentation, autographs (limited to a set number per guest), and admission (airfare to convention location would not be included).

Given the above, would you attend? How much do you think you would you be willing to spend for the weekend?

RizzMember

Posts: 1208From: Upcountry, Maui, HawaiiRegistered: Mar 2002

posted 06-13-2002 04:48 PM
AWESOME IDEA!!

Consider Hawaii for the first annual, then you can work your way Eastward young man.

We have the Onizuka Space Center, some fine observatories (clear skies away from light pollution) lava flows & active volcanoes to simulate other worldly terrain(not too many of those on the mainland) beautiful weather and some real nice places to stay, and I'd love to help make any arrangements to accommodate those who would like to come out here, and also help with logistics and activities.

You can find CHEAP flights to get out here from just about anywhere.

Save your pennies!

Aloha

Frank

WerbNew Member

Posts: From: Registered:

posted 06-13-2002 05:09 PM
Cool idea Robert!!!!!!!!! It would be alot of fun to meet up with everyone. And to share points on collecting, etc. I am not sure if I'd make it every year, but I sure would try. The idea is sound, and I surely vote for it!

From The Last Frontier............

Mike

riolagMember

Posts: 66From: Fl, USARegistered: Mar 2002

posted 06-13-2002 05:21 PM
Hi Robert

If it's on the continental USA - preferably a hub city (not essential though! *g*) I'd definitely consider coming from the UK for it.

I normally visit my dad's in Florida about twice a year, normally timing the trip to coincide with a special event, and if any event is special this sounds like it!

Thumbs up from the UK.

Val

rjurek349Member

Posts: 805From: Registered: Jan 2002

posted 06-13-2002 05:25 PM
Robert -- EXCELLENT idea! I think it would be great to try and time the conference with a shuttle launch, or around a shuttle launch time, in Florida. It would be great to get together, hold the conference, etc. and then stay on for a launch. I think Florida or Texas would be obvious locations (though I'd love one here in Chicago!)....or you could follow the map and hit the main space museums around the country, starting one year in Florida, and going on from there.

But great idea.

Richard

Russ StillMember

Posts: 522From: Atlanta, GA USARegistered: Nov 1999

posted 06-13-2002 05:32 PM
If you build it, I will come.

Dennis TalbotNew Member

Posts: From: Registered:

posted 06-13-2002 05:58 PM
Ah the great Shoeless Russ Still. When is the next book coming?

AztecdougMember

Posts: 1330From: Huntington BeachRegistered: Feb 2000

posted 06-13-2002 07:28 PM
Interesting...

Locations would be places with great museums etc... The Cape, Houston, Washington DC, Tucson ;-) ... They are all relatively easy to get to by air... Just boils down to timing. (Not the same weekend as any other major events such as Aurora Auctions, Gathering of Eagles, Novaspace events, AHOF events etc.)

------------------Warm Regards

Douglas Henry

Enjoy yourself and have fun.... it is only a hobby!

MikeNew Member

Posts: From: Registered:

posted 06-13-2002 09:25 PM
The Binman will go. For most of you that's me, Mike. For an explanation of the nickname, talk to Dennis Talbot.

Mike the Binman

BrianBMember

Posts: 98From: Registered: Oct 2001

posted 06-14-2002 12:27 AM
Sounds good to me!

mensaxMember

Posts: 861From: VirginiaRegistered: Apr 2002

posted 06-14-2002 07:59 AM
Robert this is a GREAT idea!

I would encourage you to make it as good as you can. Try to put together enough "goodies" that the event becomes a "once in a lifetime" gathering. If you do that, I'm sure you will find more than enough participants regardless of where it is or how much it costs... within limits of course!

Noah

Cliff LentzMember

Posts: 639From: Philadelphia, PA USARegistered: Mar 2002

posted 06-14-2002 09:08 AM
I have an image in my mind. At high school reunions people usually stand around showing pictures of their kids. I think we would be showing pictures of our collections!

Sounds great to me! Could be one hell of a Swap meet as well. Count me in!

Cliff

Matt TMember

Posts: 1356From: Chester, Cheshire, UKRegistered: May 2001

posted 06-14-2002 09:14 AM
I agree with Noah, if it's an unmissable event (signing opportunities, talks from astronauts, memorabilia dealers) you'll be flooded with collectSPACERs. Otherwise (if i'm honest) I doubt I'd make the trip from the UK; I'm sure many other Europeans feel the same.

It's a great idea either way, I think you're on to a winner.

Cheers,Matt

PhilipMember

Posts: 4803From: Brussels, BelgiumRegistered: Jan 2001

posted 06-14-2002 09:26 AM
Hub-city for Europeans should have to be BOSTON or Washington D.C. I guess ?

randyMember

Posts: 1287From: West Jordan, Utah USARegistered: Dec 1999

posted 06-14-2002 10:30 AM
Sounds good to me too!

OPOSNew Member

Posts: From: Registered:

posted 06-14-2002 10:34 AM
YESYESYES!!!!!!

Tom

WerbNew Member

Posts: From: Registered:

posted 06-14-2002 10:48 AM
There are many other hub cities than just Boston, or DC.

Mike

bruceMember

Posts: 830From: Fort Mill, SC, USARegistered: Aug 2000

posted 06-14-2002 01:37 PM
Great idea Robert. With the additional prospects of spending a few hours at the Air & Space Musuem, I think DC would be the perfect place! If you could get a few astros there for signing opportunites, much like the UACC shows, that would be nice. What about asking Tom Stafford and Scott Carpenter to bring a few extra books and make an appearance?

My only other suggestion would be to have it in Lebanon, Ohio on a well-known farm owned by a very nice, but reclusive astronaut whose last name begins with the letter "A". Hmm ... "SpaceStock" anyone?

Best, Bruce

scout706New Member

Posts: From: Registered:

posted 06-14-2002 06:49 PM
YES!!!

------------------

sts205cdrMember

Posts: 534From: Sacramento, CARegistered: Jun 2001

posted 06-14-2002 06:53 PM
Count me in, Robert! It'll be a hoot!

--John

James BrownMember

Posts: 1213From: Atlanta, Georgia, USARegistered: Jun 2000

posted 06-14-2002 08:29 PM
Wow, I wish everyone had gotten this excited about Geekfest this weekend.

Count me in Robert. Sounds like a blast.

James

bruceMember

Posts: 830From: Fort Mill, SC, USARegistered: Aug 2000

posted 06-14-2002 08:39 PM
What about having Bill "Jose Jimenez" Dana perform his astronaut routine at the event? Robert could play the "straightronaut" part opposite of Jose! If you have never seen Jose do this live, you don't know what you're missing.

Bruce

RizzMember

Posts: 1208From: Upcountry, Maui, HawaiiRegistered: Mar 2002

posted 06-15-2002 01:13 AM
I believe "Jose" lives in Hawaii now.

I'd go to DC.

That sounds like a great location.

mensaxMember

Posts: 861From: VirginiaRegistered: Apr 2002

posted 06-15-2002 07:04 AM
DC huh? Let's see that's about an hour and a half drive... I guess I could make that. ;)

Noah

John K. RochesterMember

Posts: 1273From: Rochester, NY, USARegistered: Mar 2002

posted 06-15-2002 08:45 AM
Maybe an event that coincides with the opening next year of the new Air and Space museum at Dulles.. we could all take over the "Enterprise".." dammit Jim I'm a collector, not a bricklayer!!" Count me in though for wherever you have it.. I'd enjoy meeting all the faces that go with the names that go with the postings that go with.. oh well, you get the picture.

RodinaNew Member

Posts: From: Registered:

posted 06-15-2002 10:32 AM
I won't make it out for such an event, but may I suggest making arrangements to tour the Garman facility out in Maryland?

It's basically where the NASM stores all their excess crap that's not in the museum or on loan - the Japanese 1/2 scale mock up of their license-build Me262; Eisenhower's presidential helicopter; an Il-2 Sturmvorik in need of some restoration; the only remaining Dornier 355; the parts of the Enola Gay which aren't in the NASM (it may be all there these days, although in parts); and a bunch of other stuff. It is also where they do their restoration work.

It's more aviation than space - but it's a cool tour and you can see some good space stuff lying around too (an ASAT missile, the Navy mock-up of the Apollo CM they used for rescue/recovery practice); and these guys are always looking to learn things from the folks they take on tours.

nasamadMember

Posts: 1890From: Essex, UKRegistered: Jul 2001

posted 06-15-2002 11:18 AM
I would be interested in attending something like that, obviously as a tourist I would prefer it to be in a location where I could make a full weeks holiday of it, IE; Houston, Washington or Kennedy.

As for how much I would be willing to pay that would depend on the astronauts attending, location of the activities, such as signings, lunch, workshops etc (NBL, JSC function suite or backroom of a bar !)

posted 06-15-2002 02:50 PM
Fantastic idea! I would definitely try to make it.

I would think that cost could vary a LOT, depending on the hotel, the dinner, etc.

Liz

RobonautMember

Posts: 224From: Solihull, West Mids, EnglandRegistered: Mar 2002

posted 06-15-2002 03:51 PM
Robert

I think this is a wonderful idea. It is a shame there is no where suitable in England. I suspect that my finances would not run to attend personally but I can dream and enjoy everyone else's experiences.

Good luck with the project.

Best wishes

Rob W

sixturners@cablespeed.comunregistered

posted 08-03-2002 11:09 AM
I would attend and think it is a great idea. The location we be a factor. I may be the only one (but I doubt it) but travaling a great distance is a little tough when your wife is not as excited about you hobby as you are.

Rick

disglobesMember

Posts: 552From: Fort McCoy, WI USARegistered: May 2000

posted 08-03-2002 01:36 PM
Hi Rick,

Say it isn't so!!!! Another wife that is not happy with their Husband collecting space. My wife is always giving me a hard time over my collecting.

Charles

[This message has been edited by disglobes (edited August 03, 2002).]

AztecdougMember

Posts: 1330From: Huntington BeachRegistered: Feb 2000

posted 08-03-2002 02:42 PM
I got lucky with my wife. While we were dating she went with me to Tucson for the Lovell booksigning event. I figured any girl that would drive 500 miles across the desert to be with me while I met an astro was a catch!

As for buying space stuff? I just make sure I buy her nice stuff equal to or greater than the value of the space stuff.

Now, back on topic... what about a convention in Tucson at the next public astro event for Novaspace? It would be a great excuse to go out there and visit Kim's shop. Talk about the ultimate toy store! Wow!

Or another suggestion, the Aurora Auction? They tend to have astros there, and it is a great time to bid on some unique items. Plus, they also have the annual Gathering of Eagles Friday night about 2 hours up the road in Lancaster. They have a lot of test pilots and an astro or two.